Netflix offers the largest content library with 12,800+ titles and dominates in original series, while HBO Max excels in premium HBO programming and theatrical movies with 10,000+ titles at a lower starting price of $7.99/month. Netflix has 282.7 million subscribers compared to HBO Max's 57 million, making it the clear market leader.
HBO Max vs Netflix — Side-by-side comparison on A Versus B
Premium streaming service featuring HBO programming, Warner Bros. films, and exclusive originals.
World's largest streaming platform with 6,000+ titles spanning all genres and 283 million global subscribers.
Total Content Library Size. Starting Monthly Price (Ad-Supported). Global Subscribers (2025). Original Series Per Year. HBO Premium Programming Access. Simultaneous User Streams (Standard Plan). Average Original Series Budget Per Episode
Choose Netflix if you want the largest content library, most original series, and the streaming service with the broadest appeal and highest subscriber base. Choose HBO Max if you're a premium HBO content enthusiast, value theatrical movie releases same-day as cinema, and prefer a lower entry price point with legacy Warner Bros. film catalog access.
HBO Max: ~10,000 titles | Netflix: ~12,500 titles
HBO Max: 200+ originals | Netflix: 250+ originals
HBO Max: $9.99/month | Netflix: $6.99/month
HBO Max: $19.99/month | Netflix: $22.99/month
HBO Max: ~800 titles | Netflix: ~2,000 titles
HBO Max: Allowed with flexibility | Netflix: Restricted to household only
HBO Max: Limited | Netflix: Full gaming catalog included
HBO Max: Available on premium plans | Netflix: Available on all paid plans
HBO Max: Yes (Warner Bros. films) | Netflix: No
HBO Max: Yes (via Max Sports add-on) | Netflix: Not available
HBO Max: Strong European focus | Netflix: Extensive global coverage
HBO Max: 4K HDR + Dolby Atmos | Netflix: 4K/120fps (Premium)
HBO Max: 4 (Premium) | Netflix: 4 screens
HBO Max: Discovery+ integration only | Netflix: N/A
HBO Max: Hacks S5, Euphoria S3 | Netflix: N/A
HBO Max: All Warner Bros. theatrical | Netflix: N/A
HBO Max: Dolby Atmos (5.1.4 surround) | Netflix: N/A
HBO Max: Minimal (occasional boxing/WWE) | Netflix: N/A
HBO Max: 150+ devices including Fire, Roku, gaming consoles, smart TVs | Netflix: N/A
HBO Max: Limited to select titles only | Netflix: Yes (4 devices)
HBO Max: 7 days | Netflix: 0 (none as of 2023)
HBO Max: 40+ prestige originals | Netflix: N/A
Original Series Critical Quality (Avg Rotten Tomatoes)
HBO Max: NFL, NCAA, MLB, NBA | Netflix: None
HBO Max: 57 million | Netflix: 278 million
HBO Max: 220+ originals | Netflix: 2,100+ originals
HBO Max: 0 (not included) | Netflix: N/A
HBO Max: Limited HBO only | Netflix: N/A
HBO Max: $21+ (HBO only bundle) | Netflix: N/A
HBO Max: $9.99 (4K included) | Netflix: $22.99 (4K required)
HBO Max: 4K UltraHD (2160p) on all tiers | Netflix: 4K UltraHD (2160p) on Premium only
HBO Max: 140+ nominations | Netflix: 91 nominations
HBO Max: Same-day (0 days) | Netflix: 30-90 days post-theater
HBO Max: 47 Emmys | Netflix: 8 Emmy Awards
HBO Max: 4 simultaneous | Netflix: 1-4 (tier dependent)
Maximum Simultaneous Streams (Standard Tier)
HBO Max: Available (select titles) | Netflix: Available (select titles)
Original Content Releases in January 2026
HBO Max: N/A | Netflix: Multiple scheduled
HBO Max: N/A | Netflix: Restricted with extra fees
HBO Max: N/A | Netflix: Available on premium tiers
HBO Max: N/A | Netflix: Higher than Disney
HBO Max: N/A | Netflix: WWE Raw, NFL Christmas Day, exclusive live events
HBO Max: N/A | Netflix: Original content focus with viral hits
HBO Max: N/A | Netflix: Standalone streaming platform
HBO Max: N/A | Netflix: Scale-driven with high volume content
HBO Max: N/A | Netflix: Broad global audience across all demographics
Monthly Subscription Cost (Standard Plan)
HBO Max: N/A | Netflix: NFL, WWE Raw, major events
HBO Max: N/A | Netflix: 60+ original series
HBO Max: N/A | Netflix: ~260 million Netflix subscribers
HBO Max: N/A | Netflix: Originals-focused, limited legacy franchises
HBO Max: N/A | Netflix: >1.4 (higher volatility)
HBO Max: N/A | Netflix: 30x (reduced from prior quarters)
HBO Max: N/A | Netflix: Scale-driven content warehouse
HBO Max: N/A | Netflix: 0 (on-demand only)
HBO Max: N/A | Netflix: Premium+ tier only
HBO Max: N/A | Netflix: Available on Premium/Premium+ ($22.99)
HBO Max: N/A | Netflix: Limited (varies by plan)
HBO Max: N/A | Netflix: High (comedies, young adult priority)
HBO Max: N/A | Netflix: Largest available
HBO Max: N/A | Netflix: Vertical video feed expanding
HBO Max: N/A | Netflix: Verizon option ($10.99)
HBO Max: N/A | Netflix: Undisclosed (declining)
HBO Max: N/A | Netflix: ~122 million equivalent
HBO Max: N/A | Netflix: ~0.33 billion hours
HBO Max: N/A | Netflix: Human + Algorithm
HBO Max: N/A | Netflix: 450+ nominations
HBO Max: N/A | Netflix: Wide variety across genres
HBO Max: N/A | Netflix: No (Premium only)
HBO Max: N/A | Netflix: Weekly/bi-weekly
HBO Max: N/A | Netflix: No music library
HBO Max: N/A | Netflix: Limited (documentaries only)
HBO Max: N/A | Netflix: Limited, delayed 45 days post-theatrical
HBO Max: N/A | Netflix: 4K HDR (Premium tier)
HBO Max: N/A | Netflix: $6.99 (with ads)
HBO Max: N/A | Netflix: 4K Ultra HD (2160p)
HBO Max: N/A | Netflix: iOS, Android, Windows, macOS, web, Smart TVs, Game Consoles, Roku, Fire TV (universal support)
HBO Max: N/A | Netflix: Premium tier only ($15.49+)
HBO Max: N/A | Netflix: 75+ games (no extra cost)
HBO Max: N/A | Netflix: 45-90 days varies
HBO Max: N/A | Netflix: $6.99 (ad-supported)
HBO Max: N/A | Netflix: 45+ days (no theatrical releases)
HBO Max: N/A | Netflix: 8,000+ titles globally
HBO Max: N/A | Netflix: No bundle available
HBO Max: N/A | Netflix: 4-5 minutes/hour
HBO Max: N/A | Netflix: 2-4 (depending on plan)
HBO Max: N/A | Netflix: Yes ($15.49/month)
HBO Max: N/A | Netflix: $15.49 (ad-free) / $6.99 (with ads)
HBO Max: N/A | Netflix: 2,100+ originals
HBO Max: N/A | Netflix: Up to 4 screens (Premium plan)
HBO Max: N/A | Netflix: Available on Premium plan
Maximum Simultaneous Streams (Standard Plan)
HBO Max: N/A | Netflix: Limited music documentaries only
Monthly Subscription Cost (Standard/Ad-Free US Plan)
HBO Max: N/A | Netflix: None (US market)
HBO Max: N/A | Netflix: Limited (select shows)
HBO Max: N/A | Netflix: $15.49 (with ads $6.99)
HBO Max: N/A | Netflix: 250+ series and films
HBO Max: N/A | Netflix: Yes, $15.49/month and $22.99/month tiers
HBO Max: N/A | Netflix: ~50% of originals
HBO Max: N/A | Netflix: 0 (licensed only)
HBO Max: N/A | Netflix: Drama, comedy, sci-fi, documentaries, international
HBO Max: N/A | Netflix: 4-6 ads/hour in Basic plan
How to choose between HBO Max and Netflix
HBO Max vs Netflix — Structured Comparison Data
Machine-readable comparison dataset for HBO Max vs Netflix. Contains 344 attribute comparisons, 5 FAQ pairs.
HBO Max vs Netflix — Attribute Category Vocabulary
Taxonomy of attribute categories used to classify comparison data for HBO Max vs Netflix.
Which streaming service has more movies?
Netflix has a larger overall library with 12,800+ titles compared to HBO Max's 10,000+. However, HBO Max specializes in premium theatrical films with same-day cinema releases for Warner Bros. movies, while Netflix focuses more on series. For pure movie quantity, Netflix wins; for premium blockbuster films, HBO Max is stronger.
Netflix's ad-supported tier starts at $6.99/month, making it $1 cheaper than HBO Max's $7.99/month entry tier. However, for premium ad-free tiers, Netflix's Standard plan is $15.49/month versus HBO Max's $19.99/month, making Netflix approximately 22% cheaper for ad-free access.
Netflix produces 70+ original series annually versus HBO Max's 45-50, giving Netflix higher overall volume. However, HBO Max's originals often have higher per-episode budgets ($10-15M vs Netflix's $8-12M) and include prestige HBO programming. Netflix has more hits globally, but HBO Max offers premium quality-focused content.
Can I watch movies in theaters on HBO Max?
Yes, uniquely. HBO Max releases all Warner Bros. theatrical films the same day they premiere in cinemas (typically a 45-day window after theatrical release). Netflix does not offer this feature. This is HBO Max's strongest competitive advantage for movie enthusiasts.
Netflix dominates with 282.7 million subscribers globally compared to HBO Max's 57 million as of 2025. This 5x subscriber advantage allows Netflix to invest more heavily in content production and global distribution, though HBO Max serves a more specialized premium audience.
How to Choose Between HBO Max and Netflix
Total Content Library Size: HBO Max has 10,000+ titles, while Netflix has 12,800+ titles.
Consider: Starting Monthly Price (Ad-Supported)
Starting Monthly Price (Ad-Supported): HBO Max has $7.99, while Netflix has $6.99.
Global Subscribers (2025): HBO Max has 57 million, while Netflix has 282.7 million.
Original Series Per Year: HBO Max has 45-50 originals, while Netflix has 70+ originals.
Consider: HBO Premium Programming Access
HBO Premium Programming Access: HBO Max has Full HBO Max/HBO catalog included, while Netflix has Not available.
Consider: Simultaneous User Streams (Standard Plan)
Simultaneous User Streams (Standard Plan): HBO Max has 2 screens, while Netflix has 2 screens.
Consider: Average Original Series Budget Per Episode
Average Original Series Budget Per Episode: HBO Max has $10-15 million, while Netflix has $8-12 million.